adminLoveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
THE high literacy rate the country has recorded is not being complemented by the right skills in relevant fields that are needed to grow the economy, an official has said.
Zimbabwe is one of the African countries with a high literacy rate estimated at more than 90 percent.
Speaking during a Careers Day for Khami District in Bulawayo at Premier High School on Friday, Matabeleland South provincial medical director Dr Rudo Chikodzore said pupils must be equipped with skills that unlock and create value.
“The Land Reform Programme is one of the various policies that provide a backbone, capacity and an immediate solution to most entrepreneurial initiatives. It however, would be strengthened if beneficiaries assume a pro-active stance towards productive utilisation of the land allocated for sustenance of livelihoods and income generation,” she said.
Dr Chikodzore said it is imperative for career guidance counsellors to guide the youths with the right information to make informed career choices that are in line with what is happening on the ground.
This, she added, will address the mismatch between skills learned and needs of the economy.
“At a time of limited budgets to national employment services and considering the current levels of youth unemployment, there has never been a time where there is such dire need for career guidance to be promoted and aggressively tackled hence programmes such as this one provide a platform for highlighting future careers and progression routes.” -@lvydvy1
derick.khumalo